We are very pleased that you have taken the opportunity to engage in the 2021 ASAS Midwest Section Meeting. While we will miss not being able to meet in person for this meeting, we are confident that the virtual format will offer the same high-quality, impactful science that the Midwest Section is historically known to provide.

In addition to all the great on-demand 12-minute oral talks and poster talks there are live symposia, lectures, and social events.

A recent study published in the Journal of Animal Science aimed to explore the correlations among circulating amino acids and insulin-like growth factor-I, growth hormone, and prolactin concentrations in plasma and producing tissue of lactating rats fed diets with varying protein content.

A study recently published in the Journal of Animal Science evaluated the effects of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% dietary resistant starch (Hi-maize 260) on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, fecal characteristics, fermentative end-product concentrations, and microbiota of healthy adult dogs.

President Biden has proposed a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan to provide additional stimulus and relief related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a report that states 9.9% of greenhouse gas emissions are from livestock in 2018.

President Joe Biden has signed a proclamation limiting and prohibiting travel to the United States from certain countries due to the new strains of COVID-19.

The Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act of 2021 was introduced to the House by Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) to expand opportunities for small and very small meat processors who proved essential as larger facilities closed due to COVID-19.

The Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act has been introduced in the United States Senate. The bill would provide $5 billion in aid to farmers of color affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as generational inequalities in agriculture.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Services (ERS) has published a study that found working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to people spending more time preparing food and eating meals at home.

The United States House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis has opened an investigation into the COVID-19 outbreaks at meatpacking plants nationwide.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced efforts to expand nutrition assistance to families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Research, Education, and Economics (REE) has released the U.S. Agriculture Innovation Strategy: A Directional Vision for Research. This is the first part of the Agriculture Innovation Agenda (AIA), which is committed to the success of American farmers, ranchers, producers, and foresters in the face of today’s challenges.

As we approach the 2021 Annual Meeting, scheduled for March 8 – 10, 2021, I would like to invite you, your colleagues, graduate students, and/or undergraduate student populations you may serve to register for this important scientific meeting.

We are excited for you all to attend the 2021 MWASAS Virtual Annual Meeting!

In a year of uncertainty, the one thing that has been consistent lately has been change. Change has pushed us outside of our comfort zone to explore new ways of conducting everyday experiences. As you are already aware, there has been a change for our ASAS Southern Section Meeting.

As you are aware, the Northeast Section ASAS/ADSA made the decision to hold the 2021 Annual Meeting in a virtual format. We were excited about the possibility of a joint meeting with the Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference, but it became clear that an in-person meeting was simply not feasible.

The authors of this recent Journal of Animal Science article studied the relationship between IC and health and productivity in Angus cattle.

A recent study, published in the Journal of Animal Science, aimed to determine whether supplementation of functional amino acids would improve growth performance and immune status of Salmonella-challenged weaned pigs and whether the effect of functional amino acids is dependent on dietary protein content.

Dr. Dale ZoBell, 68, passed away on February 4, 2021 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.